Hypofractionation and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Inoperable Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Mikel Rico; Maribel Martínez; Maitane Rodríguez; Lombardo Rosas; Andrea Barco; Enrique Martínez

Hypofractionation and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Inoperable Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

J Clin Transl Res. 2021 Apr 22;7(2):199-208.

Authors

Mikel Rico^{1

2}, Maribel Martínez¹, Maitane Rodríguez¹, Lombardo Rosas¹, Andrea Barco¹, Enrique Martínez¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Oncology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Navarra, Spain.
² Health Research Institute of Navarre (IdiSNA), Navarra Biomed, Pamplona 31008, Navarra, Spain.

PMID: 34104822
PMCID: PMC8177839

Abstract

Background and aim: Radiotherapy (RT) plays a key role in the control of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). Throughout the years, different doses and fractionations of RT have been used in an attempt to optimize the results. Recently, special interest has been given to hypofractionation (hypoRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). HypoRT is a relatively widespread treatment, although the accompanying level of evidence is limited. For its part, SBRT has been used specially to overdose specific areas of the disease as a boost after radiochemotherapy. In both cases, the study of how to integrate these RT tools with chemotherapy and immunotherapy is fundamental. In addition, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic situation has sparked increased interest in hypofractionated treatments. In this review, we analyze the role of SBRT and hypoRT in the management of LA-NSCLC in accordance with current scientific evidence.

Relevance for patients: The objective of this article is to introduce professionals to the role that hypoRT and SBRT can play in the treatment of LA-NSCLC to offer the best treatment to their patients.

Keywords: hypofractionation; non-small-cell lung cancer; radiotherapy; stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Publication types

Review